THE burial ceremony for the late Chifubu Constituency Patriotic Front (PF) member of Parliament Benson Bwalya was yesterday disrupted after some youths threatened to beat and block ‘rebel’ opposition parliamentarians’ spokesperson Peter Machungwa from addressing the mourners.
Mr Bwalya, 50, who died on Sunday after an illness was buried yesterday at Ndola’s Kansenshi Cemetery.
Confusion started after a group of PF youths led by Copperbelt Province youth chairperson Menyani Zulu threatened to beat Dr Machungwa, after he said that some PF leaders who were persecuting the late MP were now creating a picture that they loved him.
Dr Machungwa continued with his speech after a combined team of State and council police blocked Mr Zulu and PF cadres from attacking him as PF vice-president Guy Scott and a group of his party members decided to leave the tent.
He said Mr Bwalya was a fearless MP, who would be missed not only by the people of Chifubu but his colleagues in Parliament.
[pullquote]Dr Scott, who was representing the PF leadership said Mr Bwalya was one of the opposition party’s ‘naughty sons’ and advised other MPs who stood on the party’s ticket to desist from disobeying the party leadership.[/pullquote]
“As PF MPs attending the National Constitutional Conference we have been living under constant threats and I am not surprised with what is happening here,” Dr Machungwa said.
Labour Deputy Minister Simon Kachimba described the late MP as a bridge-builder who stood for unity and deserved to be emulated by all.
Dr Scott, who was representing the PF leadership said Mr Bwalya was one of the opposition party’s ‘naughty sons’ and advised other MPs who stood on the party’s ticket to desist from disobeying the party leadership.
And parliamentary delegation leader, Mwembeshi MP Edward Kasoko said Mr Bwalya, who was a member of the select committee on agriculture and lands since 2006, served the people of Chifubu in Parliament with honour and diligence.
“He would be missed for his focused and well researched contributions in Parliament,” Mr Kasoko said.
At the Ndola City Council chamber, council chaplain Augustine Mwewa called on members of the public and the extended family members to ensure that no property was grabbed from the widow and the surviving child.
Chifubu Catholic Church priest Anthony Salangeta said during church service that politicians should see to it that the violence which characterised the Mufumbwe parliamentary by-election recently did not repeat itself during the forthcoming Chifubu by-election.
Mr Bwalya, a retired soldier, was elected Chufubu MP in 2006.
He is survived by a wife and one child.
[Times of Zambia]